SAN DIEGO -- Sergio Romo lives in Arizona in the offseason, but that's not why he stayed behind when the Giants headed to San Diego on Sunday night. Romo threw 23 pitches in an extended spring training game, and manager Bruce Bochy said he mixed in a few sliders to test his strained flexor tendon. Romo felt good, and he's scheduled to throw another inning on Friday down in Scottsdale.
"He's right on (schedule)," Bochy said.
The manager noted that the Giants will continue to be careful with Romo, which explains the long break between the first and second appearances. The rehab schedule will be mapped out after Romo gets through Friday's game, and he'll have to check off the same boxes George Kontos just did. Romo will eventually join Triple-A Sacramento and work his way up to pitching back-to-back games.
That was the final step for Kontos, who arrived in Phoenix on Saturday but wasn't activated until Tuesday afternoon. The Giants optioned Clayton Blackburn back to Triple-A Sacramento. Blackburn never pitched in a game, but he got to spend some time with family and friends who made the trip to Chase Field.
"You always feel bad that you couldn't bring him in, especially with all the family and friends there, but that's just the way it played out," Bochy said. "Jake (Peavy) and Matt (Cain) threw so well. He even said, 'That's a good thing.'"
--- Andrew Susac was the DH in a camp game today and could join Single-A San Jose in a day or two. When the River Cats return home, he'll return to Triple-A.
--- Tim Lincecum seems to be a few details and a physical away from being a Los Angeles Angel. His former teammates will be rooting for him.
--- We've been doing Power Rankings every couple of weeks, and this version includes updates on Heath Hembree, Adam Duvall, Mike Leake and other former Giants.
